Camera housing

ABSTRACT

A camera housing includes a main body having four sides that form a cavity to receive a camera, a door detachably coupled to the main body, and an exposed area in the main body allowing a user to manipulate a button on the camera or access an I/O or microphone interface of the camera. The camera housing includes an indicator window substantially aligning with a visible indicator on the camera, a latch detachably securing a first side of the door to a first side of the main body; and a hinge coupling a second side of the door to a second side of the main body. The camera housing includes securing protrusions that interlock with corresponding mounting protrusions extending from a camera mount. A front face and a rear face of the camera are exposed when the camera is secured by the door in the camera housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/937,004, filed Mar. 27, 2018, which application is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 15/487,534, filed Apr. 14, 2017, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,930,231, which application is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/995,599, filed Jan. 14, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,628,681,which application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/459,650, filed Aug. 14, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,268,200, whichapplication is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/949,160,filed Jul. 23, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,837,928, all of which areincorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a camera system, and more specifically, to ahousing for a camera.

Description of the Related Art

Digital cameras are increasingly used in outdoors and sportsenvironments. In order to allow for the safe use of cameras in suchenvironments, the cameras need to be secured to camera mounts, which inturn can be secured to, for example, sports equipment, vehicles, or auser. One such means for securing a camera to a camera mount is a camerahousing that securely encloses or partially encloses a camera. A camerahousing can include means for coupling to a camera mount, allowing auser to mount a secured camera during use of the camera. A user'sexperience with a camera housing can be diminished by difficult orcomplicated mechanisms for securing a camera within or removing a camerafrom the camera housing. In addition, the user's experience can befurther complicated if the camera housing must be decoupled from thecamera mount before a camera can be secured within or removed from thecamera housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which willbe more readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a illustrates a perspective view of a camera system, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 1b illustrates another alternative perspective view of a camerasystem, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1c illustrates a perspective view of a rear of the camera system,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2a illustrates a perspective view of a camera for use with thecamera system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of a camera for usewith the camera system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of a camera housing configured toenclose a camera, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3b illustrates a perspective view of a camera housing with asecuring latch mechanism, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4a illustrates a perspective view of a camera housing with a latchmechanism, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4b illustrates a close-up perspective view of a latch mechanism inan open position, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4c illustrates a close-up perspective view of a latch mechanism ina closed position, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate perspective views of a camera housing with afoldable handle mechanism configured to serve as a securing arm,according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figuresdepict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles described herein.

Example Camera System Configuration

A camera system includes a camera and a camera housing structured to atleast partially enclose the camera. The camera includes a camera bodyhaving a camera lens structured on a front surface of the camera body,various indicators on the front of the surface of the camera body (suchas LEDs, displays, and the like), various input mechanisms (such asbuttons, switches, and touch-screen mechanisms), and electronics (e.g.,imaging electronics, power electronics, etc.) internal to the camerabody for capturing images via the camera lens and/or performing otherfunctions. The camera housing can include a lens window structured onthe front surface of the camera housing and configured to substantiallyalign with the camera lens, and can include one or more indicatorwindows structured on the front surface of the camera housing andconfigured to substantially align with the camera indicators.

FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate various views of a camera system according toone example embodiment. The camera system includes, among othercomponents, a camera housing 100. In one embodiment, a first housingportion 102 includes a front face with four sides (i.e., a top side,bottom side, left side, and right side) structured to form a cavity thatreceives a camera (e.g. a still camera or video camera). In otherembodiments, the camera housing 100 may not include one or more sides orfaces. For instance, the camera housing 100 may not include a front orback face, allowing the front face and rear face of the camera to beexposed when partially enclosed by the top side, bottom side, left side,and right side of the camera housing 100.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 has a small form factor (e.g.,a height of approximately 2 to 7 centimeters, a width of approximately 2to 7 centimeters, and a depth of approximately 1 to 5 centimeters), andis lightweight (e.g., approximately 50 to 150 grams). The camera housing100 can be rigid (or substantially rigid) (e.g., plastic, metal,fiberglass, etc.) or pliable (or substantially pliable) (e.g., leather,vinyl, neoprene, etc.). In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 may beappropriately configured for use in various elements. For example, thecamera housing 100 may include a waterproof enclosure that protects acamera from water when used, for example, while surfing or scuba diving.

Portions of the camera housing 100 may include exposed areas to allow auser to manipulate buttons on the camera that are associated with thecamera functionality. Alternatively, such areas may be covered with apliable material to allow the user to manipulate the buttons through thecamera housing 100. For example, in one embodiment the top face of thecamera housing 100 includes an outer shutter button 112 structured sothat a shutter button 112 of the camera is substantially aligned withthe outer shutter button 112 when the camera is secured within thecamera housing 100. The shutter button 112 of the camera isoperationally coupled to the outer shutter button 112 so that pressingthe outer shutter button 112 allows the user to operate the camerashutter button.

The front face of the camera housing 100 can include a lens window 104structured so that a lens of the camera is substantially aligned withthe lens windows 104 when the camera is secured within the camerahousing 100. The lens window 104 can be adapted for use with aconventional lens, a wide angle lens, a flat lens, or any otherspecialized camera lens. In this embodiment, the lens window 104includes a waterproof seal so as to maintain the waterproof aspect ofthe housing 100.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 includes one or more securingstructures 120 for securing the camera housing 100 to one of a varietyof mounting devices. For example, FIG. 1a illustrates the camera housingsecured to a clip-style mount 122. In this example, the camera housing100 includes a first plurality of protrusions (protrusions 124 as shownin FIG. 1b ), and the mount 122 includes a second plurality ofprotrusions. Each protrusion includes a hole (hole 126 as shown in FIG.1b ) at a similar location within the protrusion such that the first andsecond pluralities of protrusions can interlock in such a way that theprotrusion holes substantially align. Continuing with this example, aturnable handscrew is inserted through the aligned holes, coupling thecamera housing 100 to the mount 122 such that the camera housing canpivotally rotate relative to the mount when the turnable handscrew is ina first unlocked position, and such that the camera housing is fixed inposition relative to the mount when the turnable handscrew is in asecond locked position. In other embodiments, the camera housing 100 canbe secured to a different type of mounting structure, and can be securedto a mounting structure via a different type of coupling mechanism.

After securing the housing to the camera mount, the camera mount can inturn be optionally secured to a user's backpack, sports equipment, orbody. This allows a user to use the camera for photography (e.g., in ahands-free configuration or manner) without having to physically hold,safeguard, or otherwise physically handle the camera.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 includes an indicator window106 structured so that one or more camera indicators are substantiallyaligned with the indicator window 106 when the camera is secured withinthe camera housing 100. The indicator window 106 can be any shape orsize, and can be made of the same material as the remainder of thecamera housing 100, or can be made of any other material, for instance atransparent or translucent material and/or a non-reflective material.

The described housing 100 may also be adapted for a wider range ofdevices of varying shapes, sizes and dimensions besides cameras. Forexample, an expansion module may be attached to housing 100 to addexpanded features to electronic devices such as cell phones, musicplayers, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), global positioning system(“GPS”) units, or other portable electronic devices.

FIG. 1c is a rear perspective view of camera housing 100 illustrating asecond housing portion 128, according to one example embodiment. Thesecond housing portion 128 detachably couples with the first housingportion 102 opposite the front face of the first housing portion. Thefirst housing portion 102 and second housing portion 128 arecollectively structured to enclose a camera within the cavity when thesecond housing portion 128 is secured to the first housing portion 102in a closed position.

The second housing portion 128 can include a door 130 that allows thecamera to be removed from the housing 100. The door 130 pivots around ahinge 136 that allows the door 130 to be opened or shut. In oneembodiment, a first fastening structure 138 located on the top face ofthe camera housing 100 detachably couples to a second fasteningstructure 140 on the door 130. The fastening structures 138, 140 securethe door 130 to the first portion 102 of the camera housing 100 in aclosed position when coupled, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In oneembodiment, the fastening structure 138 includes a hook-shaped lateralbar and the fastening structure 140 comprises an L-shaped bar. Thefastening structure 138 can pivot upwards to allow the door 130 to closeand can then be pressed down around the fastening structure 140 to holdthe door 130 in the closed position. In different embodiments, fasteningstructures for securing the door 130 can include, for example, a buttonassembly, a buckle assembly, a clip assembly, a hook and loop assembly,a magnet assembly, a ball and catch assembly, and an adhesive assembly,or any other type of securing mechanism.

In one alternative embodiment, the hinge 136 is instead located on thetop face of the housing 100 and the fastening structures 138, 140 areinstead located on the bottom face of the housing 100. Alternatively,the hinge 136 and fastening structures 138, 140 may be located onopposite side faces of the camera housing 100.

In one embodiment, the housing 100 includes a watertight seal so thatthe housing 100 is waterproof when the door 130 is shut. For example, inone embodiment, the door 130 includes a sealing structure positioned oninterior edges of the door 130. The sealing structure provides awatertight seal between the first portion of the camera housing 102 andthe door 130 when the first securing structure 138 on the top face ofthe camera housing 100 is coupled to the second securing structure 140on the top edge of the door 130.

In one embodiment, an outer hinge structure 132 on the bottom edge ofthe second housing portion 128 detachably couples to an inner hingestructure 134 on the bottom edge of the first housing portion 102 toform the hinge 136. For example, in one embodiment, the outer hingestructure 132 includes one or more hook-shaped protrusions structured tosecurely fasten to a rod-shaped member of the inner hinge structure 134.Other mechanisms for coupling the second housing portion 128 to thehousing 100 may also be used in various alternative embodiments. Inother embodiments, the second housing portion 128 may be permanentlyattached to the first housing portion 102.

FIG. 2a illustrates a camera 200 for use with the camera systemsdescribed herein, according to one example embodiment. The camera 200 isconfigured to capture images and video, and to store captured images andvideo for subsequent display or playback. The camera 200 is adapted tofit within a camera housing, such as the housing 100 discussed above orany other housing described herein. As illustrated, the camera 200includes a lens 202 configured to receive light incident upon the lensand to direct received light onto an image sensor internal to the lens.The lens 202 is enclosed by a lens ring 204.

The camera 200 can include various indicators, including the LED lights206 and the LED display 208 shown in FIG. 2a . When the camera 200 isenclosed within the housing 100, the LED display 208 is configured tosubstantially align with the indicator window 106, and the LED lights206 are configured to be visible through the housing 100. The camera 200can also include buttons 210 configured to allow a user of the camera tointeract with the camera, to turn the camera on, and to otherwiseconfigure the operating mode of the camera. The camera 200 can alsoinclude a microphone 212 configured to receive and record audio signalsin conjunction with recording video. The side of the camera 200 includesan I/O interface 214. Though the embodiment of FIG. 2a illustrates theI/O interface 214 enclosed by a protective door, the I/O interface caninclude any type or number of I/O ports or mechanisms, such as USCports, HDMI ports, memory card slots, and the like.

FIG. 2b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of a camera 200 for usewith the camera system, according to one embodiment. The camera 200includes a door 216 that covers a removable battery and batteryinterface. The door 216 can be removed via the door release mechanism218. The camera also includes an expansion pack interface 220 configuredto receive a removable expansion pack, such as a display module, anextra battery module, a wireless module, and the like. Removableexpansion packs, when coupled to the camera 200, provide additionalfunctionality to the camera via the expansion pack interface 220.

Example Camera Housing

FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of camera housing 300 configuredto enclose a camera, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3a, the camera housing 300 includes a four-sided frame 320 that isconfigured to enclose a camera. The camera housing of FIG. 3a securelyencloses the camera along the lateral sides of the camera (the top,bottom, left, and right sides) without obscuring the front and rearfaces of the camera. The camera housing 300 beneficially does notobstruct the camera lens, any LCD or other displays (front or rear), anyoptical indicators or buttons, and other user interface elements. Toprovide additional security to the camera when enclosed by the housing,the camera sides are optionally covered with a layer of material (suchas rubber) to provide frictional grip between the camera sides and theinner perimeter of the camera housing in an enclosed position.

As illustrated in FIG. 3a , the camera housing 300 includes thefour-sided frame 320, which includes a top side 320-1 (including segment320-1-a and 320-1-b), a bottom side 320-2, a left side 320-3, and aright side 320-4. In one embodiment, the four-sided frame 320 is of aunibody construction. In an alternate embodiment the four-sided frame320 can be constructed of one or more segments coupled together (e.g.,glued, welded or stitched).

The segment 320-1-a is pivotally coupled to a first latch component,made up of latch-arm 350-1, and the segment 320-1-b is pivotally coupledto a second latch component, made up of latch-arm 350-2 and latch-arm350-3. The first latch component and the second latch component arepivotally coupled together to form the latch mechanism 350. When thelatch mechanism 350 is in a closed position (e.g., as explained furtherwith reference to FIG. 3b and FIG. 4c ), the frame securely encloses acamera. When the latch mechanism is in an open position (e.g., asexplained further with reference to FIG. 3a and FIG. 4a below), thesegment 320-1-a and the segment 320-1-b are separable, allowing for theinsertion or removal of a camera. In some conventional camera housingconfigurations, inserting a camera into or removing a camera from theframe requires the removal of the camera from the camera mount 390.Accordingly, the latch mechanism 350 allows the removal of the camerafrom the camera housing 320 without requiring the removal of the housingfrom the camera mount.

The four-sided frame 320 has a perimeter dimension that allows for theframe to fit the perimeter of the camera as further described with FIG.3b . For example, in some embodiments, top side has a length ofapproximately 2 to 7 centimeters, and a width of approximately 1 to 5centimeters. In some embodiments, latch-arm 350-1 has a length ofapproximately 3 to 4 centimeters, and a width of approximately 0.25 to 1centimeters, and the latch-arms 350-2 and 350-3 have lengths ofapproximately 2 to 3 centimeters, and widths of approximately 0.25 to 1centimeters.

As shown in FIG. 3a , the latch-arm 350-1 includes a frame-coupledarm-end pivotally (e.g., rotatably) coupled to the segment 320-1-a by ahinge mechanism 370-1. The latch-arm 350-2 and the latch-arm 350-3 eachinclude corresponding frame-coupled arm-ends and pivotally couple to thesegment 320-1-b by hinge mechanisms 370-2 and 370-3, respectively. Itshould be noted that although the latch-arms 350-2 and 350-3 form asingle latch component in the embodiment of FIG. 3a , in otherembodiments, the latch-arms are separate/non-coupled components. Thelatch-arm 350-1 is pivotally coupled to the latch-arms 350-2 and 350-3by hinge mechanism 370-4. The hinge mechanism 370-4 allows the latch-arm350-1 to pivotally rotate relative to the latch-arms 350-2 and 350-3.

The housing 320 includes a plurality of protrusions (protrusions 385-1and 385-2) protruding from the bottom side 320-2 of the housing. Theprotrusions are configured to interlock with mating protrusions of thecamera mount 390. It should be noted that although shown on the bottomside 320-2 of the housing, in alternative embodiments, the plurality ofprotrusions protrude from the left side, the ride side, or the top ofthe camera housing. Likewise, although the latch mechanism is shown onthe top side 320-1 of the camera housing, in alternative embodiments,the latch mechanism is located on a different side of the camerahousing, such as the left side or the right side.

The camera housing 300 can be made of a mechanically compliant orpliable material (e.g., such as plastic, resin, or a polycarbonatematerial), allowing the frame to adequately flex and bend so as toenable insertion of a camera into and out of the frame. The latchcomponents can be made of an electrically non-conductive material (e.g.,such as plastic, or resin), to prevent or minimize electricalinterference with an antenna located on the camera. In some embodiments,camera housing 300 has a height of approximately 4 to 6 centimeters, awidth of approximately 5 to 7 centimeters, and a depth of approximately1 to 4 centimeters). The camera housing 300 can be made of an opticallytransparent, substantially transparent, translucent, or opaque material.In some embodiments, camera housing 300 is made of a water-proof orwater-resistant material.

FIG. 3b illustrates a perspective view of a camera housing 300 with asecuring latch mechanism 350, according to some embodiments. In theclosed position, the camera is substantially enclosed by the frame 320and the inner perimeter of the frame 320 (perimeter P1) is substantiallyequal to the outer lateral perimeter of the camera. As a result, whenthe latch mechanism is in the closed position, the camera is securelyenclosed inside the camera housing.

As illustrated in FIG. 3b , in the closed position, the latch mechanism350 is substantially flush with the side 320-1 at location 396 and theside 320-4 at location 397. As a result, in the closed position, thelatch is flush with the rest of the frame thereby improving theaesthetic look of the camera housing. Furthermore, the uniform andseamless surface of the frame with the latch in the closed position(e.g., due to the absence of exposed joints or crevices around the latchregion) can help ensure that the frame does not physically catch on orentangle with surrounding objects (e.g., other sporting equipment, theuser, or objects in the environment).

In some embodiments, rather than being flush with the side 320-1 atlocation 396 and the side 320-4 at location 397, the latch mechanism 350protrudes above a surface of side 320-1 at location 396 and above asurface of side 320-4 at location 397. In such embodiments where thelatch mechanism 350 is thicker than top side 320-1 of the camera housing300, the latch mechanism 350 may beneficially provide betterreinforcement, strength, and stability and is thus more secure.

Furthermore, when the latch mechanism is in the closed position, thesegment 320-1-a and the segment 320-1-b are separated by a firstpredefined separation distance, D1. When the latch mechanism is in theclosed position, the effective perimeter of the frame 320, P1, issubstantially equal to a lateral perimeter of the camera. In someembodiments, when the latch mechanism 350 is in the closed position, thesegments 320-1-a and 320-1-b are substantially in contact, reducing theeffective distance D1 to essentially zero.

Returning to FIG. 3a , the segment 320-1-b includes a segment boundarysurrounding a gap 380 configured to receive the latch mechanism 350 inthe closed position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3b ) such that, in theclosed position, the latch mechanism 350 occupies the gap 380 and issurrounded by the segment boundary. In some embodiments, lengthwiseportions of the segment boundary formed along the length of the segment320-1-b are rigidly connected by a widthwise supporting member (member395 of FIG. 3b ), thereby securing a fixed separation between thelengthwise portions of the segment boundary. This makes it possible forthe latch mechanism 350 to open without pushing the segment boundarieslaterally outward, thereby constraining the top side of the frame in itsoriginal shape in a lateral direction.

FIG. 4a illustrates another perspective view of camera housing 300 withlatch mechanism 350, according to some embodiments. In the openposition, the latch mechanism 350 is lifted outward from the frame 320,thereby allowing the segment 320-1-a and the segment 320-1-b to separatefrom each other. With segments 320-1-a and 320-1-b separated, the innerperimeter of the frame 320 is enlarged to an effective perimeter, P2,larger than the outer lateral perimeter of the camera, thereby allowinginsertion or removal of the camera into or out of the frame. The spaceD2 between segments 320-1-a and 320-1-b increases or decreases when thelatch mechanism is in the open position as the latch arm 350-1 pivotallyrotates relative to the latch-arms 350-2 and 350-3.

In some embodiments, camera housing 300 further includes one or morerespective openings (e.g., openings or apertures 420-1 and 420-1) toaccommodate one or more of: a camera power button, a data port, amicrophone interface, and the like. These openings on the frame alignwith corresponding camera features when the camera is securely enclosedwithin the housing, allowing for convenient access to camerafunctionality without having to remove the camera from the housing.

FIG. 4b illustrates a close-up perspective view of latch mechanism 350in an open position, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4b, the latch components 350-1, 350-2, and 350-3 each form an angularseparation relative to the top side of the frame 320. In someembodiments, latch-arm 350-1 forms an angular separation A1 with respectto the top side of the frame 320, latch-arm 350-2 forms an angularseparation A2 with respect to the top side of the frame 320, andlatch-arm 350-1 forms an angular separation A3 with respect to latch-arm350-2. As the latch mechanism 350 is moved from the closed position tothe open position, the angles A2 and A3 increase, and A1 decreases.Likewise, as the segments 320-1-a and 320-1-b are separated, causinglatch-arm 350-1 to pivot angularly away from latch-arms 350-2 and 350-3,the angle A3 increases.

FIG. 4c illustrates a close-up perspective view of latch mechanism 350in a closed position, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4c, in the closed position, the segment 320-1-a and the segment 320-1-bare separated by the distance D1. As illustrated in FIGS. 4b-4c , atleast a portion of the segment 320-1-b terminates in a slice 450 ofcompressible material (e.g., a piece of rubber) configured to seal agap, if present, between the segments 320-1-a and 320-1-b when the latchmechanism is in the closed position.

As shown in FIGS. 4b-4c , the latch components 350-1, 350-2 and 350-3include a substantially right-angled bend configured to fold over acorner 460 adjacent to the second segment 320-1-b. The right-angled bendallows the latch mechanism to be flush with the top side of the housing,the adjacent side of the housing, and the corner of the housing wherethe top side and the adjacent side intersect.

FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate perspective views of a camera housing 300 with afoldable handle mechanism 520 configured to serve as a securing arm,according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, foldable handle 520serves as a securing retainer configured to accommodate and secureextension modules coupled to a camera body. The foldable handle 520includes a first arm 530-1 and a second perpendicular arm 530-2,pivotally coupled to a side of the camera housing. FIG. 5b illustratesthe handle 520 in a first position configured to secure a camera andcoupled extension module. The camera housing can include a reciprocalindentation 540 configured to accommodate the handle when foldeddownward into a second position (as illustrated in FIG. 5c ). Thereciprocal indentation allows the handle to be flush with the insidewalls of the camera housing when in the second position.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression“coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used hereinis not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in directphysical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may alsoencompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or arestructured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.

Likewise, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof,are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciatestill additional alternative structural and functional designs for acamera housing as disclosed from the principles herein. Thus, whileparticular embodiments and applications have been illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are notlimited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein.Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation anddetails of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera housing, comprising: a first housingportion having four sides that form a first portion of a cavity toreceive a camera, a second housing portion having four sides that form asecond portion of the cavity to receive the camera, wherein a front faceof the camera and a rear face of the camera are exposed when side facesof the camera are enclosed within the cavity; a button on the firsthousing portion or the second housing portion that is configured toallow a user to manipulate a corresponding button on the camera that isassociated with camera functionality; a first fastening structurepivotally coupled to a first side of the first housing portion; a secondfastening structure positioned on a first side of the second housingportion, wherein the first fastening structure is configured todetachably couple the second fastening structure to form a latch, andwherein the latch is configured to secure the second housing portion tothe first housing portion; a first hinge structure coupled to a secondside of the first housing portion; a second hinge structure coupled to asecond side of the second housing portion, wherein the second hingestructure is configured to couple to the first hinge structure to form ahinge that allows the second housing portion to rotate in respect to thefirst housing portion; and a securing structure having securingprotrusions extending from the first housing portion, the securingprotrusions configured to interlock with corresponding mountingprotrusions extending from a camera mount.
 2. The camera housing ofclaim 1, wherein the first fastening structure comprises a hook-shapedbar and the second fastening structure comprises an L-shaped bar, andwherein the first sides are parallel to the second sides.
 3. The camerahousing of claim 2, wherein the camera housing is configured to securelyenclose the camera within the cavity when the second housing portion issecured to the first housing portion in a closed position, and whereinthe camera is insertable into and removable from the camera housing whenthe first side of the second housing portion is spaced from the firstside of the first housing portion in an open position.
 4. The camerahousing of claim 2, wherein the camera mount comprises mountingstructure to secure the coupled camera housing and camera mount to atleast one of a user's body, a user's backpack, or sports equipment suchthat the user can operate the camera in a hands-free manner.
 5. Thecamera housing of claim 1, wherein the button on the first housingportion or the second housing portion is formed of pliable materialconfigured to allow the user to manipulate the corresponding button onthe camera through pliable material.
 6. The camera housing of claim 5,comprising: an exposed area on the first housing portion or the secondhousing portion, the exposed area configured to allow a user tomanipulate another button on the camera that is associated with camerafunctionality or access an I/O interface or microphone interface of thecamera when the camera is securely enclosed within the camera housing.7. The camera housing of claim 5, wherein the securing protrusions andthe mounting protrusions include holes that align when the securingprotrusions and the mounting protrusions are interlocked such that aturnable handscrew can be inserted through the aligned holes to couplethe camera housing to the camera mount.
 8. The camera housing of claim7, wherein the camera housing can pivotally rotate relative to thecamera mount when the turnable handscrew is in an unlocked position andthe camera housing is fixed in position relative to the camera mountwhen the turnable handscrew is in a locked position.
 9. The camerahousing of claim 5, comprising: one or more indicator windows on thefirst housing portion or the second housing portion, wherein the one ormore indicator windows are configured to substantially align with one ormore corresponding camera indicators on the camera when the camera isdisposed in the cavity of the camera housing, and wherein the one ormore indicator windows are formed from a transparent or translucentmaterial.
 10. The camera housing of claim 1, wherein the second hingestructure is configured to detachably couple to the first hingestructure such that the second housing portion is removable from thefirst housing portion.
 11. A camera system, comprising: a camera,comprising: an image sensor; a lens configured to direct received lightonto the image sensor; a visible indicator; and a button configured toallow a user of the camera to interact with the camera; a housing,comprising: a main body having four sides that form a cavity to receivethe camera; an indicator window on one of the sides of the main body,the indicator window configured to substantially align with the visibleindicator on the camera when the camera is disposed in the cavity of themain body; a door configured to couple to the main body, wherein a frontface of the camera and a rear face of the camera are exposed when sidefaces of the camera are enclosed within the cavity; a first fasteningstructure pivotally coupled to a top side of the main body; a secondfastening structure positioned on a top side of the door, wherein thefirst fastening structure is configured to detachably couple the secondfastening structure to secure the top side of the door to the top sideof the main body; a first hinge structure coupled to a bottom side ofthe main body; a second hinge structure coupled to a bottom side of thedoor, wherein the second hinge structure is configured to couple to thefirst hinge structure to form a hinge that allows the door to rotate inrespect to the main body; and a securing structure having securingprotrusions extending from the bottom side of the main body; and amount, comprising: mounting protrusions including holes that align withholes in the securing protrusions when the mounting protrusions and thesecuring protrusions are interlocked; a turnable handscrew configuredfor insertion through the aligned holes in the securing protrusions andthe mounting protrusions to couple the mount to the housing; andmounting structure configured to secure the coupled mount and housing toat least one of a user's body, a user's backpack, or sports equipmentsuch that the user can operate the camera in a hands-free manner. 12.The camera system of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises: an exposedarea in the main body, the exposed area configured to allow the user tomanipulate the button on the camera or access an I/O interface ormicrophone interface of the camera when the camera is securely enclosedwithin the housing.
 13. The camera system of claim 11, wherein thehousing comprises: a button on the housing configured to allow a user tomanipulate the button on the camera, wherein the button on the housingis formed from pliable material configured to allow the user tomanipulate the button on the camera through the pliable material, andwherein the button on the camera is a shutter button, a power button, oran operating mode button.
 14. The camera system of claim 11, wherein thehousing can pivotally rotate relative to the mount when the turnablehandscrew is in an unlocked position, and wherein the housing is fixedin position relative to the mount when the turnable handscrew is in alocked position.
 15. The camera system of claim 11, wherein the visibleindicator is an LED, LCD, or other display, and wherein the indicatorwindow is formed from a transparent or translucent material.
 16. Thecamera system of claim 15, wherein the second hinge structure isconfigured to detachably couple to the first hinge structure such thatthe door is removable from the main body.
 17. The camera system of claim11, comprising: an expansion module configured to attach to the housingto add expanded features to the camera.
 18. A camera housing,comprising: a main body having four sides that form a cavity to receivea camera, a door that is detachably coupled to the main body to securethe camera in the cavity, wherein a front face of the camera and a rearface of the camera are exposed when the camera is secured by the door;an exposed area in the main body, the exposed area configured to allow auser to manipulate a button on the camera that is associated with camerafunctionality or access an I/O interface or microphone interface of thecamera when the camera is securely enclosed within the camera housing;an indicator window on the main body, the indicator window configured tosubstantially align with a visible indicator on the camera when thecamera is disposed in the cavity of the main body; a latch configured todetachably secure a first side of the door to a first side of the mainbody; a hinge configured to couple a second side of the door to a secondside of the main body and to allow the door to rotate in respect to themain body; and securing protrusions extending from the main body, thesecuring protrusions configured to interlock with corresponding mountingprotrusions extending from a camera mount.
 19. The camera housing ofclaim 18, wherein the hinge comprises an inner hinge structure disposedon an edge of the second side of the main body and an outer hingestructure disposed on an edge of the second side of the door, the outerhinge structure configured to detachably couple to the inner hingestructure.
 20. The camera housing of claim 19, wherein the outer hingestructure comprises hook-shaped protrusions and the inner hingestructure comprises a rod-shaped member, and wherein the hook-shapedprotrusions are structured to securely fasten to the rod-shaped member.